This year’s competition, the 18th in its history, will be the last with Dame Fanny Waterman at the helm. Dame Fanny, who co-founded ‘the Leeds’ in 1961, announced she was stepping down last December after five decades in charge.

She said: “This has been a truly marvellous competition with some of the finest young pianists entering.

“To hear a talent as fine as Anna’s brings confidence that the Competition will continue to produce the greatest pianists in the world for many years to come.”